Whether it's a prized kitchen set or valuable antiques, water can be a major threat to tinware. Due to the oxidation process, rust can form on wet metals within a few days; however, with a little creativity, you can effectively eliminate it from your cookware using materials you already have at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clean a Light Coat of Rust
Step 1. Get some steel wool, sandpaper, a wire brush or a ball of crumpled foil
They are easy to retrieve tools that you can use to scrape off small rust stains easily. There is no need to try harder methods when the rusty area is limited and you can scrub it with these common items.
Step 2. Work vigorously
Vigorously scrub the surface using one of these accessories; you have to exert a fair amount of pressure on the pan to remove the rust effectively.
Step 3. Use an electric sander for larger areas
A grinder equipped with an abrasive disc for stripping or flaking is able to easily eliminate large areas of rust; however, there are some factors you need to consider before using this tool.
- Abrasive, flap and fiber discs are most effective on large, flat patches of rust; otherwise, the metal ones for stripping are more suitable for corners and curved surfaces.
- Make sure you constantly move the grinder on the pan to prevent it from piercing or damaging the metal; if you need to treat small areas, consider using a hand sander, such as the Mouse.
- Always start with the coarser grit disc and gradually move to the finer as the rust is removed.
- If there are any noticeable scratches on the pan, try using fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface.
Method 2 of 4: Working with Acidic Liquids
Step 1. Get salt, white vinegar or lemon
All of these substances are perfect for removing rust thanks to their acidity that dissolves stains. White vinegar (acetic acid) and lemon juice (citric acid) are both weak acids that loosen iron oxide (rust).
Step 2. Dip the tin object into the white vinegar
Get a plastic container deep enough and roomy to accommodate the object; cover it with the liquid and wait about 24 hours, until the rust is dissolved.
- Remember to use enough vinegar to submerge the entire pan; if you don't have enough, you can wet a rag and rub it on the metal.
- Scrape off the rust using an abrasive pad or aluminum foil.
- The longer you let the metal soak, the easier it is to remove the rust; you can also keep the item in the vinegar for a few hours, but be prepared to use more "elbow grease" to get rid of the oxide layer.
Step 3. Pour the lemon juice over the rust
At first, you can start with about a tablespoon of juice; maybe you need to use more for larger surfaces, but it's worth starting with small doses so as not to wet the metal too much.
- Apply the lemon juice first, so that the salt can adhere to the surface; make sure you have enough juice to add more after sprinkling with salt.
- Add the salt. Start with a teaspoon of coarse salt (table salt is fine too) to sprinkle on the rusty area; check that it adheres to the surface and evenly covers the entire stain.
- Pour in more lemon juice. Use a dose equal to the first one and pour it over the salt; the natural acidity of this substance is perfect for dissolving rust.
Step 4. Rub the treated area with a cloth
Make sure the rag is clean to avoid transferring other contaminants to the stain; at the end, carefully rinse the metal and rub it vigorously to remove the residual layer of rust.
Step 5. Wash the tin object
It is very important to clean the surface after dissolving the oxide; if any traces of vinegar or lemon juice remain, the acidity could damage the material.
Step 6. To get rid of stubborn stains, mix lemon juice with vinegar
The acid action of both substances should make the remedy more powerful against rust; in addition, the residual aroma of lemon gives the metal a fresh citrus scent.
Method 3 of 4: Rub Metal with Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Make a paste of water and baking soda
Use the two substances in equal parts. Start by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of water in a small bowl; if necessary, increase the doses, but remember that the mixture must be thick enough to adhere to the oxide layer.
Step 2. Spread the mixture using a clean, wet cloth
Apply it so that it adheres to the rusty surface and let it act for at least a few hours; allow the dough enough time to set on the metal.
Step 3. Scrub the baking soda off
Use steel wool, a wire brush, crumpled aluminum foil, or even a toothbrush to vigorously scrub the baking soda off the tin object until no trace remains. you may have to repeat the whole procedure a few times to completely remove the rust from the metal.
Method 4 of 4: Remove the Rust with a Potato
Step 1. Cut a potato in half
Get one of medium size and cut it; coat the surface of the pulp with dish soap or an environmentally friendly powder detergent. The soap triggers a chemical reaction that removes the rust stain.
Step 2. Rub the edge of the tuber over the stain or oxide layer
Work vigorously until the rust disappears; remember that you have to apply a lot of pressure to be able to scrape off the stain.
- If you need to repeat the treatment, simply cut off the soapy slice and spread more detergent on the new exposed surface.
- If necessary, you can replace the soap with a mixture of baking soda and water.
- If the stain is small, you can just leave the potato on it for a few hours.
Step 3. Remove the tuber and carefully clean the rusty surface
Use steel wool or a rough cloth to apply enough friction to remove the stain; afterwards, allow the metal plenty of time to dry.
Warnings
- Make sure you have removed all traces of lemon juice, vinegar, or baking soda; if not removed, these substances can ruin the cookware.
- Do not use bleach as it can react with rust and cause even more intense stains.
